The Houston Cougars continued to piece together their 2012 recruiting class on Wednesday with a mid-day commitment from Allen (TX) linebacker Thaddeus LaGrone who committed to new head coach Tony Levine after returning from his official visit last weekend in Houston and talking it over with his family.

LaGrone had held an offer for some time from the Cougars but was unaware of it due to some confusion.

"I had actually been offered by the Cougars since last year," said the 6-foot-2, 193 pound linebacker. "I had been offered by them right around the time I was committing to Baylor last year and so I never really found out about it until just recently. I wish I would have known sooner about the offer, I would have already been committed."

During LaGrone's visit to Houston last weekend he got a chance to get to know some of the players and also found out about some of the players in his signing class.

"It was the most fun I've had in a long time last weekend," the talented defender said of his official visit. "Phillip Steward was my player host for the weekend and he was a real cool guy. I also got to meet some more of the committed players and found out that an old friend of mine Donald Hopkins was committed to Houston too. I got to know Donald when me and him and my running back at Allen were all checking out Missouri way back."

LaGrone also got a chance to see the facilities both old and new.

"It was really nice there," the Rivals three star prospect said of the team's facilities. "I really liked how big and spacious the weight room was, I like to have room to work in there. The dorms where we will stay were real nice too and we got to see some pictures of what the stadium is going to be, it looked real nice."

After seeing all of the sights in Houston, LaGrone returned home to Allen to discuss his future some with his family. There were a few things that put Houston on top for him in the end, including their conference affiliation.

"I got back from my trip and wanted to talk it over with my family," he said. "In the end I wanted to go there and be a part of what they are doing to rebuild everything. I really liked that they are going to the Big East, they are going with Boise State and a bunch of other good teams and there is going to be some great competition levels there. I also wanted to stay in Texas so my family could come see me play."

LaGrone was the 19 commitment of the class for the Cougars. He was the 11 player on the defensive side of the ball and the fourth linebacker in the class as Houston continues to build depth on the defensive side of the ball.